Shiftable type head mechanism for typewriting machines



Sept. 6, 949.

O. W. SWANSON SHIFTABLE TYPE HEAD MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITING MACHINES Filed NOV 30 1945 INVENTOR @dat .fummo/z Patented Sept. 6, 1949 IED 4-sfifAf--ies PATENT OFFICE v`SHIFTBLETYPE HEAD MECHNISM'SFOR 'TYPEWRITING 'MACHINES JOscar `W. Swanson, West Hartford, `Conn., `as-VV .signor vto LUnderwood Corporation, New York, "N.'Y., a corporation oflDelaware Application 'November 3091945, Serial'No.` 631,824

A9`Claims.

1 This invention relates to typewritingmachines and more particularly to theitype bar-mechanismsofsuch-imachines. Certaintieaturesof the invention relate tolm-achinesrinwhich the type baz" mechanisms .eachfcomprise a type head shiftx ably 'mountedpn theouter -end'of Aa type-bar and Vcarrying two different .'types arranged to be brought alternatively into-operative position by Vthe shifting of the-type head. The invention is illustratedin-this applicationasrembodied in a typewriting machine 'of `the :Elliott -Fisher type having a atplaten'and type barmechanismsin which the type is proj ected.- into engagement `with the ywork sheetfresting Aonthefpl-atenfat the end of adoWnWardstrok-e of "the eorresponding type bar.

, ported on the rplaten;- byvtheshiftingacf Athehead from one :position .to another on `the .type lbar. In lsuch type bar.mechanisms,,the.head isllocked `in one posi-tion andeisfyieldinglly.held inthe other position `upon =thel.typer.bar ,by .means of la-leaf springfthe free` end -of which is arranged y.to engage the r opposite :sides .ofraiproj ectionorctailpn the head. `In shiftingirom the .flrstposition `to the A other, -the head engaging .end of -the .leaf springris .rst moved .back vaway from the .aXis Yof pivotal movement of `thehead,outnfwlocking .position with relationtothe-:tail ,thereof .an'dithe'head is-then'swung one-its axis '.toshift-.theisamelto the second position. @During Athis movement ,of vthe head, the'tail is-carriedipasttheffree end .of .the spring and thespringthereafter ,swings" back vtoward the axis .of .thej head .tof insure the complete shifting i. movement of the hea'd. ,These "leaf springs are .made .of highly 'tempered steel-and frequently. break under .the strains 'to which they aresubjectedfand havel-to bereplaced. A. rather elaborate :construction .requiring considerable labonand time toiapplyto the" type`barsA has been yemployed to"hldithe Vsprings securely on :the

Ytype` bars. The springs and'the'holding mechanisms therefore have". been comparatively expensive .toV manufacture and to apply 'to `a machine and-the cost ofthex spring mechanism has added considerablyltothe cost fi'the machine.

'One object 'of 'the present invention is to ;im

prove Lthe construction l anii `mode of operation of type 'bar 'mechanism :f "the .kind "or character.

comprisinga type. head yshiftably,mounted Lon the .outer end of the'type bar.

Another` object of.theinvention to. improve, simplify-and reduce the .cost 1f manufacture of typebarmechanismsof .the aboveikin'd used for Elliott Fisher machines.

.Another object. .of Lthe invention ,is to provide type bar mechanism'of .the above character with .novel and `improved 1mechanism "for"holding the 4type headin` its respective operatingpositions on the type bar.

Another .object lof the invention Vis 'to provide typewriting machines'havingtype bar mechalnisms of .the above kind or character with' means vfor kholding the type heads in either of Atheir vWorkingpositions rwhich maybe appliedto and removedlfrom the typebars'with the expenditure of much less labonand time than is requiredwth .the'present construction. Y

'Ihe type bars 4ordinarily employed in machines of the Elliott Fisher type have vbeen compara- ,tively expensive to manufacture. `Another object `of -the .present invention 'is to improve the construction Vof the typebars vformachines of this type and to producetype' bars. fonsuch machines which are simplified in construction and Amay `4be .manufactured at -less ,cost than 'the "type bars heretofore employed.

With` the above. and 'otherfobjectsi in 'view the invention consists'ina'typeibar mechanism embodying the novel .and 'improved features, constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly '.pointed "out 4in 'the claims, the advantages ofwhich'wilh'be readily understood and .appreciatedby thoseskilled in the art.

The Various featin'eso'f theinventionwill be clearly understood from the' accompanying drawings, `illustrating constructions embodying the same in their preferredformsf'and the following detailed description of'theconstructlons therein shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is 'aviewin side'elevation, partly in section, illustrating the :type Lbar mechanism of a "machine of the Eiliott Fisher type'A embodying certain .features of the invention, and showing the typehead in'one position,

4Figure 2 is a'detailsectionalview taken V'sub- 'device for vthe type"head'-an'dv illustrating the manner in which said device isf-applied `to the type bar,

Figure 4 is a detail view in side elevation illustrating a portion of the type bar, the type head and associated parts and showing the type head in another position on the bar,

Figure 5 is a detail perspective View illustrating the locking or holding device for the type head,

Figure 6 is a detail view in side elevation showing the type bar, type head and associated parts and a diiferent form of locking or holding device for the type head embodying certain features of the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, with the type head in the same position on the type bar as shown in Figure 1,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 of the construction shown in said figure, illustrating the parts in the positions that they assume when the type head is in the same position on the type bar as shown in Fig. 4, and

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view illustrating, in relatively detached positions, a portion of the type bar and the locking or holding device for the type head shown in Figures 6 and 7.

The invention is illustrated in this application as embodied in a typewriting machine of the Elliott Fisher type such as that illustrated and described in the patent to Oscar J. Sundstrand No. 2,239,023 dated April 22, 1941.

The machine illustrated comprises the usual platen frame in which is mounted a substantially iiat platen indicated at 2 in Figure 4. A line space frame, also, is mounted for forward and rearward movement upon rails formed upon the side bars of the platen frame. The line space frame is provided with front and rear rails upon which is mounted for movement in letter-spacing direction and return, a type carriage for supporting the type bar mechanism. The parts above referred to, which, with the exception of the platen,

, are not herein shown, preferably have substantially the same construction and mode Aof operation as the corresponding parts of the machine shown and described in Patent No. 2,239,023 referred to above. For a disclosure of the construction and mode of operation of these parts reference may be had to the above patent.

inclusive, the type bar mechanism comprises a l type bar or lever 4 pivoted at 6 on a hanger 8' secured to a semi-circular ring I0 suspended from the deck of the type carriage. The type bar mechanism also comprises a retracting spring I 2 connecting an arm I4 pivoted to the type bar with a bracket I6 xed to the type carriage, which spring operates to retract the type lever and tends to retain the lever in its normal position with the releasing and actuating lever Il carried by the type head in engagement with a semi-circular buffer ring I8. This ring determines the retracted position of the type bar. The type bar mechanism further comprises an operating mechanism for the lever or bar 4 having substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the corresponding mechanism illustrated and described in the patent to Sundstrand No. 2,239,023 referred to above.

Certain of the type bars are each provided with two types which are arranged to be brought alternatively into operating position in the manner common in machines of the Elliott Fisher type. The type bar, the type head and the releasing and actuating lever for said head shown and described in this application have considerable similarity to the corresponding constructions illustrated and described in the'L patent to Foothorap 1,119,149 datedDecember 1, 1941.

The type bar 4 of the present construction is made of sheet metal and is stamped to the particular shape shown clearly in elevation in Fig. 1.. Upon the outer end of the bar 4, is pivoted, on a pin 2|, a type head 22 upon which are mounted the types 24 and 2B in the angular relation shown clearly in the drawings.

The head'22 is made from a block of metal"v shaped to the desired outline shown in Figs. 1'v

and 4 and formed with substantially parallel side:

faces 2l.

rection substantially parallel with the side faces thereof, forming the recess 28 with substantially parallel spaced lateral surfaces. The head is applied to the type bar by inserting the outer end of the bar in this recess between the lateral faces of the same and the head is pivoted to the bar as above stated by means of the pin 2|.

The movement of the type head .on the type bar in a clockwise direction, Figures 1 and 4, is limited to locate the type 24 in operating position, by the engagement of a suitable stop face 32 on the head with a stop face 34 formed on a projection 35 on the type bar. The movement of the type head in a counter-clockwise direction on the type bar is limited to locate the type 26 in operating position by the engagement of a stop face 36 ,on the head with a stop Vface 38 on the type bar. Figure 1 shows the type head in normal position on the type Ybar with the type 26 in operating position or in position to engage the work sheet at the end of a type impression stroke of the bar.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5,' inclusive, the machine is provided with mechanism for locking the type head in its normal position shown in Figure 1 and for yieldingly holding said head in its other position with relation to the type bar comprising a lever 40 pivoted at its inner end to the type bar. This locking lever consists of a strip of sheet metal sufficiently heavy to maintain the same substantially from bending during the shifting of the type head. This lever is pivoted at its inner end as at 42, to the type bar to swing toward and from the bar. The locking lever 4D is preferably bent into the form shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 and is provided with a locking contact portion 134 extending outwardly at an angle to the adjacent portion of the lever to engage a locking face 45 formed on one side of a projection or tail on the type head. To mount the lever 40 pivotally on the type bar 4, the bar is formed with a slot 48 for the reception of one end of the lever, said slot preferably having the form shown clearly in Figure 3. As will be noted from an inspection of this gure, the portion of this slot nearer the pivot of the type bar is undercut. The lever 40 is constructed with an angularly bent inner end portion having a slot 50 to receive the type bar, this slot forming spaced projections 52 at the end of the lever. The type bar 4 is provided with two positioning and guiding lugs 54 and 56, on its rear edge portion or margin, arranged to engage re- 58 and 60 in the lever 40 to guide said lever. The

opening 6B in the lever is only slightly longer than the corresponding dimension or width of the lug 56 to provide. sucient clearance to allow the lever 40 to move freely toward and from the type bar. opening is so located that it will receive the lug 56 only when the lever is positioned to engage the inner end thereof beneath the overhanging portion of the type bar at the inner end ofthe slot 48. The lug 55 thus positions the lever 40 longitudinally on the type bar. The opening 58, however, may be considerably longer than the corresponding dimension or width of the lug 54 as shown to provide substantial clearance between the front and rear edges of the lug and. the lever at al1 times.

These projections 54 and 56 steady and guide the locking lever 40 laterally during its movements toward and from the type bar.

The locking lever 4I! is acted upon by a coiled spring 62l connecting the same with the type bar which tendsV to swing the lever toward the type bar. This spring is positioned at such an angle to the lever 40 that the pull of the springv tends to swing' the lever toward the type bar and to move the lever longitudinally toward the axis of the type bar. The spring thus yieldingly maintains the portion of the locking lever between the two projections 52 in contact with the end wall of the slot 48 nearer the pivot of the type bar. The lug 56 prevents the locking lever from being moved longitudinally by centrifugal action or otherwise suiciently to disengage the lever from beneathA the overhanging portion of the type bar at the slot 48.

The releasing and actuating lever Il is pivoted at E6 within the recess or slot 28 in the type head and is formed with a cam face E8 for engagement with the outturned end portion 44 on the lever 40 torelease the lever from locking engagement with the stop face on the type head. The lever il is also formed with a stop lug or projection T arranged to engage an arcuate stop facev 'H on the type bar to limit theA movement of the lever in one direction about its pivot '56 the downward movement oi the type bar. In order to shift the type head during thedownward'V mnvement of the type bar from retracted position, the semi-ring 16, is depressed into the path of the arm T4 on the leverA Il. This may be done by meansof a manually operated key as shown and described in Patent No. 2,334,464. With the semi-ring in depressed position, as shown in= full. lines: in Figure 1, during the early part of the downward swing of the type bar, the arm '|24 on the lever IT engages said semi-ring and the. lever is swung relation to the type head about the pivot 6B' in aV clockwise direction, Figures 1 and 4.4 During the first part of this movement of the lever Il, the cam 68 swingsthe locking lever 4U outA of engagement with the locking face' on the' type` head and the stop projection T0 on the leverl then engages the stop face 'H on the type bar and the type head is swung about the: pin 2| to locate the type 24 in operative position. During the early part of this movement of the type head, the tailv of the type head passesl the outer end of the locking lever 4d and the lever, under the influence of the spring 62, thereafter swings back toward the type bar, thereby insuring the complete shifting movement of the type head. During this latter movement of the lever, the outer end ofthe lever engages with the side face of the tail of the type head opposite thatuponwhich the locking face 46 is formed, as shownin Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows the relation of the locking lever 405, the type head and the lever I1 after the shifting of thev type head. The type head is yield-ingly maintained in this position with relation tothe type bar by the lever 40 during the remainder of thev advance movement of the type bar to bring the type 24 into engagement with the work and during the greater part of the retracting movement of the bar.

The shifting of the type head and the movement of the lever I1 with said head diminishes substantially the distance of the outer end of the arm 14 from the axis of the type bar. Therewithy relatOIl t0 the type head and with a stop 45 fore, during the retracting movement of the type face T3? for engagement with an arcuate stop face 'F5 on the type bar to limit the movement of the lever in the opposite direction. The lever is provided with an actuating arm 14 for engagement with the vertically adjustable semi-ring 'l 50 to release and shift the type head. This arm is arranged to engage the buffer ring i8 as the type bar approaches the end of its return movement to restore the type head to normal position. The

releasing and actuating lever Il, the vertically adjustable semi-ring 16 and the buffer ring i8 preferably have substantially the same mode of operation as the corresponding elements illus-- tratedl and described in the patent to Wise No. 2,334,464 datedl November 16, 1943.

The mechanism above described has the following mode of operation, starting with the typev bar inretracted position and with the type head located on the type bar in position to project the type 26 into engagement with a work sheet sup- 65 ported on the platen 2 as shown in Figure l. With the semi-ring 16 located in elevated position as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure l, out ofthe path of the arm 'I4 on the lever Il, during the advance of the type bar, the type head is hel-d in normal position on the type bar by the locking engagement of the outturned end of the lever with the stopface 45 on the inner side of the tail of the type headand type 25 is projected into bar, the outer end of the arm 14 clears the semiring 1-, The head is shiftedback into normal positionV by engagement of the arm 14 on the lever |511 with the buffer ring I8 during the last part of the retracting movement of the type bar.

The locking lever 40 and actuating and lcontrolilirr-g spring G2 may be very quickly and easily applied to andremoved from the type bar. In applying the lever to the bar, the lever is placed in substantially the angular position shown in Fig'. 3=` with relation to the typel bar and is manipulated to insert the inner end of the lever in the slot 48 beneath the overhanging portion of the type bar as shown in- Fig. 3. The lever is then swung about its inner end toward the type bar to engage the lugs. 54 and 56 in the corresponding openings in the lever, The coil spring 62 is their hooked. at. its ends, into suitable openings in the type bar and the locking lever.

Figures; 7- and 8 show a construction in which, instead ot a locking lever operated by a coil spring, a locking leaf spring is employed. In the construction shownin these figures, the type bar 4.,. the type head. 2,2. pivotedon the bar, the types 241 and. 26 mounted on the head 22, and the releasing and locking. lever ll pivoted on the head all have. substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the corresponding elements shown in Figures` 1 to 4, in-

engagement with the work sheet at the end oi clusive, except for the construction of the type bar for removably holding the locking spring in position thereon.

The locking spring indicated at 18 consists of a strip of resilient sheet metal cut and bent into the shape clearly shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. The spring is provided with a tapered arm 88, an arm 82 extending at a considerable angle to the arm 80, and with a relatively wide attaching portion or base 84 extending at a slight angle to the arm 80 to which base the arm 88 is attached. The spring is formed with an outturned end prtion 88 for engagement with the locking face 46 on the type head to lock the type head in position for the engagement of the type 28 with the work.

Leaf spring locking members such as that shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 frequently break under the strains to which they are subjected in operation and have to be replaced. It is therefore desirable that these springs should be so constructed as to enable them to be quickly and easily applied to and removed from the type bar. In the construction shown, the type bar is provided with a projection or lug indicated at 88, on its rear edge portion or margin, for engagement in an opening or slot 90 in the portion 84 of the spring and with a rectangular lug 92, on said edge portion, for engagement in a correspondingly shaped opening 94 in the spring. The lug 88 is provided with an outer portion 98 eX- tending longitudinally of the type bar and the lug is undercut as indicated at 98. The slot 90 in the spring is constructed of sufficient length to receive the outer portion 96 of the lug 88. The lug 92, which is constructed to t rather snugly in the opening 94, is located at a distance from the adjacent portion of the lug 88 somewhat greater than the distance between the opening 94 and the slot 90. The type bar is formed with shoulders l 80 on each side of the lug 92 to engage the Icorresponding portions of the spring 'i8 adjacent the opening 94.

In applying the spring to the type bar the spring is placed with the locking end in position to engage the type head and with the base end nearer the pivot of the type bar and the spring is manipulated to engage the projection 88 in the opening or slot 98 and to bring the inner face of the spring substantially into contact with the adjacent edge of the type bar as shown in Figure '7. This positioning of the spring will cause the portion of the spring between the opening 94 and the adjacent end of the spring to engage the outer end of the projection 92 as shown in this gure. The spring is then moved longitudinally toward the axis of the type bar to insert that part of the base between opening 99 and the arm 89 in the undercut 98 beneath the overhanging portion of lug 88 until the projection 92 registers with the opening 94. When this occurs the end portion of the spring nearer the pivot of the type bar will snap inwardly toward the type bar into the position shown in Figure 6. The application of the spring to the type bar in this manner will position the spring so that it is securely held to the type bar by projections 88 and 92. The engagement of the portions of the spring adjacent the opening 94 with the shoulders |08 and the engagement of the end portion adjacent the type head with said head or with the lever I1 places the spring under tension. A type bar mechanism similar, in certain respects, to the present mechanism, is shown and described in lPatent 2,447,884 issued August 24, 1948, to Elmer 8 L. Wise, on copending application Serial No. 566,425 filed December 4, 1944.

With this construction, the spring may be very quickly and easily removed from the type bar and a new spring may be just as quickly `and easily applied thereto. In removing the spring from the type bar, the end portion of the spring nearer the pivot of the type bar is moved outwardly away from the type bar to disengage the projection 92 from the opening 94 and the spring is then moved longitudinally in a direction away from said pivot to disengage the same from beneath the overhanging portion of lug 88. This enables the entire spring to be readily moved outwardly away from the type bar :to detach the same from said bar.

When the spring is attached in operating position yas shown in Figure 6, the spring is held from longitudinal movement by the engagement of the projection 92 in the opening 94 and is held from movement laway from the type bar by the overhanging portion of the projection 88.

The spring has the same mode of operation in locking and yieldingly holding the head as the similar spring shown and described in the patent to Foothorap N0. 1,119,149.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to .the particular construction and arrangement of parts of the illustrated embodiment of the invention but that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Having explained .the nature .and object of the invention, and having speciically described a construction embodying the invention in its preferred form, what is claimed is:

1. In a typewriting machine, a type bar, ya type head shiftably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head yand arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of operative positions by the shifting movements of said head, a member mounted on said bar and engaging said type head for holding the head in position on the bar for the engagement of one of said types with the work sheet and cooperating means respectively on the member `and bar and interttable and disengageable by relative manipulation of the member and bar for holding the member removably in place on the bar comprising a projection on the bar forming an overhanging portion beneath which said member is inserted and a second projection on the bar for engaging in an opening in said member to hold the member in position beneath said overhanging portion.

2. In a typewritmg machine, a type bar, a'type head shiftably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head and arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of Operative positions iby the shifting movements of said head, a member supported on said bar for holding the head in operating position, `and means for removably attaching the member pivotally to the bar comprising an undercut slot in the bar forming van overhanging portion beneath which the end portion of the member opposite the head is inserted `and a `projection on the bar engaging in an opening in said member to hold the member in place longitudinally on the bar.

3. In a typewriting machine, a type bar, a type head shiftably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head and arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of operative positions by the shifting movements of said head, a lever for holding said head in position removably mounted pivotally on said bar, a projection onI the bar ex- 9 tending longitudinally of the bar beneath which the pivoted end of said lever is inserted, and a projection on the bar extending transversely of the length of the bar for engagement in an opening in the lever to hold the lever longitudinally with relation to the bar and to guide the same during its movements toward and from the bar.

4. In a typewriting machine, a type bar having 'an undercut between its ends forming an overhanging portion, a type head shiitably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head and arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of operative position by the shifting movement of said head, a member removably pivoted at one end beneath the overhanging portion of the bar and having a slot in said end to receive the bar, means on said member for holding the type head in operative position and guide means on the bar for guiding the member during its movements toward and from the bar.

5. In a typewriting machine, a type bar, a head shiftably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head and arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of operative position by the shifting movements of said head, a lever removably pivoted at one end on the bar for holding the head in operative position and having a guide receiving opening, a guide on said bar extending in a direction transverse to the length of the bar for engaging in said opening to guide the lever laterally during its movements toward and from the bar and a coiled spring acting on said lever and tending to swing the same toward the bar.

6. In a typewriting machine, a type bar having an overhanging projection between its ends, a type head shiftably mounted on the bar, types carried by said head and arranged to be shifted respectively into and out of operative positions by the shifting movements of said head, a lever removably pivoted at one end beneath the overhanging projection on the bar and having a projection receiving opening,a projection on the bar extending in a direction transverse to the length of the bar to engage in said opening in the lever, a spring acting on the lever and tending to swing the same toward the bar and to maintain the same beneath said overhanging projection and means on the other end of said lever for engaging the type head to hold the same in operative position.

7. In a typewriting machine, a sheet metal type bar, a bifurcated head formed with a recess having substantially parallel side faces in which the outer end of the bar is inserted, means for pivoting the head to said end of the bar, a holding member yieldingly mounted on the bar and coacting with the head to hold the head in position on the bar and a head releasing and shifting device pivoted in said recess and arranged to engage said holding member to release the head and to swing the head from one position to another.

8. In a typewriting machine, a sheet metal type bar, a shiftable type head formed with a recess having substantially parallel side faces in which recess the outer end of the type bar is inserted, said faces engaging the opposed side faces of the type bar, two types mounted on said head, means for pivoting the head to said end of the bar, stop faces formed on the edges of the bar, stop faces formed on the head and arranged to engage respectively said stop faces on the bar to locate the head respectively to place the types in operative positions, a holding device attached to the rear edge portion of the bar and yieldingly engaging the head to hold the head in position on the bar, and co-operating means respectively on said device and on the sheet metal of the rear edge portion of the bar, and interttable and disconnectable by relative manipulation of the device and bar for holding the device removably in place on the bar.

9. In a typewriting machine, a sheet metal type bar, a shiftable type head formed with a recess having substantially parallel side faces in which the outer end of the type bar is inserted, said faces engaging the opposed side faces of the type bar, two types mounted on said head, means for pivoting the head to said end of the bar, stop faces formed on the edges of the bar, stop faces formed on the head and arranged to engage respectively said stop faces on the bar to locate the head respectively to place the types in operative positions, a holding device attached to the rear edge of the bar and yieldingly engaging the head to hold the head in position on the bar, and co-operating means respectively on said device and on the rear margin of the bar, and interttable and disengageable by relative manipulation of the device and the bar for holding the device removably in place on the bar, comprising a projection on the sheet metal of the rear margin of the bar forming an over-hanging portion beneath which said device is inserted and a second projection on the sheet metal of said rear margin of the bar for engaging in an opening in said device to hold the 45 device in position beneath said over-hanging portion.

OSCAR W. SWANSON.

REFERENCES CITED 50 The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

